Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). “It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith.” Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph- husband of Mary, terror of demons, and foster father of Jesus! It is always a big deal when you are celebrating a member of the Holy Family (I mean, it’s Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), but today brings a chance for us to step back and reevaluate our relationship with God in light of St. Joseph. The fact that Joseph’s feast day always occurs during Lent means that it’s always a chance to take a break from our fasts and celebrate in a special way. Today presents an opportunity to feast and celebrate St. Joseph’s life of great faith, trust, and hope. The second reading (that’s right- solemnities always include a second reading, even during a weekday Mass) today alludes to the great faith of St. Joseph. St. Joseph was a man of few words but of great action. As a matter of fact, if you were to scour the entirety of the Gospels, you’d see St. Joseph’s only quote, “ “. But what St. Paul tells us in the quote above is that we don’t always have to be people who preach eloquently or follow the law diligently. St. Joseph shows us that the greatness of God in our lives, what we call holiness, comes more from our internal disposition than anything else. The promise that God gives us, to be holy and united to him in intimacy, comes through the righteousness that comes from faith. We are made holy by our faith in Jesus Christ, just as St. Joseph. Now, don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean that we only have to profess faith in Jesus Christ to be saved, as some might say. We also have to be men and women of action, spurred on by our faith in Jesus. St. Joseph, as we read in the Gospel, was willing to put his trust entirely in the Lord and his call to follow him. Let’s follow the example of St. Joseph today and focus more on our interior lives, made holy by our faith in Jesus Christ, than on our eloquence in preaching the Gospel or following of the law. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. How am I spending effort on following the law of God? Is my relationship with God focused on faith or on my outward appearance? How am I striving for holiness? How much focus do I put on my faith in God? How much on myself? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "Increase my faith." "Help me trust in you." "St. Joseph, pray for me." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today? Take an honest look at how you live out faith in Jesus Christ- how much emphasis are you putting on yourself versus on faith in the Lord? Write out how you are trusting in your own efforts and invite God into each area so your faith in him can take the reins. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Adam Smyth, the Life Teen Coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Woodlands, TX.
If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today. Comments are closed.
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